Graphic Wallpaper and Rich Jewel Tones Elevate This Memphis Home

For some, design is a passion. For others, it’s a career. For Laquita Tate, it's both. The design mind behind her eponymous studio, Laquita Tate Interior Styling and Designs, Laquita used to spend all of her professional time shaping minds instead of rooms. As an elementary school principal in Memphis, Tennessee, design was a passion that was reserved for after-school hours only. But then 2020 came, and an opportunity appeared amidst the chaos of the year. Now in addition to her school duties, Laquita is a budding entrepreneur whose design studio is well on its way to celebrating its second birthday.

For the last 15 years, the primary beneficiary of Laquita’s design talents was her own home. Her 4,000 square foot, 4-bedroom house was just being built when she and her family saw it for the first time. Now, with 2 sons grown and the nest empty, Laquita shares the house with her husband of 24 years. After all of that time practicing her design craft, the only difficulty she has with the home is deciding which room she likes best. “My black living room is currently my favorite room,” she confesses. “However, I say that about each room after I've made it over.” With walls covered in a “perfect black,” accented with bright pops of contrasting color, it’s a beautiful combination of color, culture and comfort. “It has pops of color throughout with coffee table books, candles and plants,” she says. “I love how the wood tones warm up the black.”

The bedroom also houses one of the home’s extensive displays of Laquita’s beautiful art collection. “My art collection is one of my favorite features in this house,” she confides. “This wall has a couple of pieces from a number of my favorite artists.” Being surrounded by art that touches her is part of what makes the bedroom the end-of-the-day oasis she needs after a long day at school. “It truly has become my retreat,” she says.

In her main bedroom, Laquita opted for a soothing feel with a few artistic flourishes. “The artwork and bed frame stand out beautifully against the black accent wall,” she says. Some of the room’s surprise touches include the tassel extensions at the bottom of the artwork and two light fixtures hanging over the nightstands. “I used a bar cart instead of a standard nightstand beside the bed because I love using pieces with traditional uses in different ways.”